ESL 2520
Decoding Writing Sample Topics
There are essentially three types of questions the Writing Samples will ask you to write on. They are:
The organization for each of these depends on what the question is asking. Let’s outline an example for each.
Question Type 1: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A teacher should always stick to the subject matter of the course. Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.
Ø Your thesis for this type of question should be a direct answer to the question. “I agree/ I disagree that a teacher should always stick to the subject matter of the course.”
Ø Your body paragraph should each include one reason why you agree or disagree and the supporting examples/explanations for each.
Fill in the outline below with some ideas:
Introduction +
Thesis:
Body Paragraph One Topic:
Example(s):
Body Paragraph Two Topic:
Example(s):
Body Paragraph Three Topic:
Example(s):
Conclusion restating
Thesis
Question Type 2: Some people like to marry when they are young, while others prefer to wait until they are older to marry. Discuss the advantages of each position. Then indicate which you think is better and why.
Ø Your thesis for this type of question should indicate that there are advantages for both marrying young and waiting and then indicate your opinion. That’s a lot to fit into a thesis, but the thesis MUST reflect the outline of the essay.
Ø The Body Paragraphs for this essay will follow the points mentioned in the question. Body Paragraph One should discuss advantages of marrying early. Body Paragraph Two should discuss advantages of marrying later, and Body Paragraph Three should discuss your preference of the two and why you think this is best for you personally.
The outline would look like this. Fill in some examples/reasons for each.
Introduction +
Thesis:
Body Paragraph One: Advantages of Marrying Young
Example(s):
Body Paragraph Two: Advantages of Marrying Later
Example(s):
Body Paragraph Three: Your preference
Example(s):
Conclusion restating
Thesis
Question Type 3: What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning to study the English language? Give reasons and examples to support your response.
This type of essay could be done a couple of ways. You could give ONE piece of advice in your thesis along with three reasons why that advice is important. OR You could give three pieces of advice and highlight each piece within its own body paragraph. Your thesis will then be determined on how you want to approach the question.
Here are some sample outlines for each option:
Introduction + Thesis
with One Piece of Advice (For Example, “Be Patient”) and Three Reasons Why This is Important
Body Paragraph One: Reason One
Example(s):
Body Paragraph Two: Reason Two
Example(s):
Body Paragraph Three: Reason
Three
Example(s):
Conclusion restating
Thesis
OR
Introduction + Thesis
Highlighting Three Pieces of Advice (For Example “Be Patient,” “Find a good
class or tutor,” and “Practice Outside of Class”)
Body Paragraph One: First Piece
of Advice
Example(s):
Body Paragraph Two: Second Piece of Advice
Example(s):
Body Paragraph Three: Third Piece of Advice
Example(s):
Conclusion restating
Thesis
Now, create an outline for the following Writing Sample Questions: